Apparatus for producing a foam bovine teat dip

Abstract

An apparatus for producing a foam surfactant suitable for a bovine teat dip having a compressor for air pressurization of a surfactant solution containing a germicide, disinfectant, biocide, etc., wherein the air-surfactant mixture is passed through a flow or line mixer to a foam holding cup adjacent the teat are, and wherein the mixture is expanding in the holding cup to produce an adherent surfactant foam product with reduced run off, which both protects and reduces infection of the teat and surrounding udder area.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for producing a foamed teat dip, comprising: 
       a container for supplying liquid surfactant and germicide to a teat cup;  
       a flow and mixer line defining an entry port positioned within the container for liquid, and air intake ports disposed within the container;  
       the teat cup being configured to surround a bovine teat and defining an open upper end adjacent an udder portion near the teat, the teat cup defining an open inlet bore for receiving a mixture of compressed air and a solution of surfactant and germicide;  
       the flow and mixer line for supplying liquid from the container and air under pressure to the inlet bore of the teat cup; and  
       a compressor coupled to the container via a pressurized line.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus for producing a foamed teat dip, comprising: 
       a container for supplying surfactant under pressure to a first line connector;  
       compressor means for supplying air under pressure to a separate, second line connector;  
       a flow connector for combining surfactant and compressed air from their respective first and second line connectors, the flow connector defining an inlet;  
       valve means for preventing back flow along the first and second line connectors;  
       a nozzle for delivering surfactant and air to an expansion bore of a teat cup;  
       an on-off handle for controlling air and surfactant flow to the nozzle, the handle being connected to the flow connector; and,  
       mixing means for intimately mixing air and surfactant, the mixing means being positioned between the nozzle outlet and the inlet of the flow connector.  
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , in which the air is supplied at a pressure exceeding about 20 psi. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , in which the mixing means is contained within the on-off handle. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , in which the mixing means is contained within the flow connector. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising a connection line between the flow connector and the on-off handle, and the mixing means is contained within the connection line.